MLB Betting Odds and Predictions: St. Louis Cardinals vs. Oakland Athletics

The St. Louis Cardinals (48-30) and Oakland Athletics (46-34) will open up a three-game interleague series Friday night at the O.co Coliseum, with the first pitch scheduled for 10:05 p.m. ET

St. Louis Cardinals vs. Oakland Athletics

The St. Louis Cardinals are 25-22 versus American League opponents since 2011

St. Louis has dropped four of its last five games, with the offense scoring just 10 combined runs in those defeats, as it attempts to bounce back from a 4-3 setback to the Houston Astros as -173 road favorites Wednesday. “We like to see the fight, but we’d rather see the win,” commented Cardinals manager Mike Matheny. The Cardinals are being led offensively by catcher Yadier Molina, who is pacing the National League with a .357 batting average. St. Louis is 25-22 in interleague play the last two-plus seasons, with the UNDER going 27-18-2 in that situation.

Cardinals starting pitcher Shelby Miller (8-5, 2.35 ERA) has alternated wins and losses over his last four starts, as he comes off a 4-2 home loss to the Texas Rangers last time out, allowing four runs and eight hits over 5.2 innings. The right-hander is 3-3 with a 3.29 ERA in seven road outings, issuing 12 walks and striking out 41 batters in 41 combined innings. Miller will be facing the Athletics for the first time in his career.

Oakland has won seven of nine games versus NL opponents, which includes a 5-0 victory over the Cincinnati Reds as -120 home favorites last time out, while going UNDER the betting total for the first time in five contests. “We didn’t even want to have to get anyone up in the bullpen, because we were trying to stay away from a few guys,” stated Athletics manager Bob Melvin. The club is 6-1 following an off day during the 2013 campaign, with the OVER cashing in five of those seven contests.

Athletics starting pitcher Bartolo Colon (10-2, 2.93 ERA) has won seven consecutive starts, including a 6-3 road victory over the Seattle Mariners last time out, as he allowed three runs and seven hits over eight innings of work. The right-hander is 4-0 with a 2.68 ERA in seven home appearances, surrendering just two home runs in 47 combined frames. In three career starts versus the Cardinals, Colon has tallied a 1-0 record and 5.06 ERA.